A protester looks at graffiti on cement blocks in front of the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012. Key Egyptian rights groups called Sunday for a repeat of the first round of the constitutional referendum, alleging the vote was marred by widespread violations. Islamists who back the disputed charter claimed they were in the lead with a majority of “yes” votes. Arabic writing on the cement block, right, reads, "no to the Muslim Brotherhood constitution," (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Crisis in Egypt

•December 16, 2012

Islamists backing a new constitution for Egypt claimed victory Dec. 16 in

the first leg of a referendum, but the opposition alleged polling

violations and called for nationwide protests ahead of next week's elections.